ByThe NTDLL.dll crash is a common issue among Windows users, particularly when they open File Explorer or attempt to access files. This crash can compromise the system’s stability and disrupt your daily work. In this article, we will explain in detail how to fix the NTDLL.dll File Explorer Crash permanently.
What is NTDLL.dll Crash?
NTDLL.dll is a critical system file that handles many low-level functions within the Windows operating system. When this DLL file becomes corrupted or missing, it causes File Explorer to crash repeatedly. The main causes include:
Corrupt system files
Outdated or incompatible drivers
Third-party software conflicts
Malware or virus infection
1. Start the system in Safe Mode
Safe Mode is a diagnostic mode that starts Windows with only essential system services and drivers. This allows us to check if the crash is caused by a third-party application.
Steps:
1. Press the Start button and click Restart while holding the Shift button.
2. Choose an option → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart.
3. After the restart, press F4 to boot into Safe Mode.
If the crash does not occur in Safe Mode, it means that a third-party app is causing this problem.
2. Use System File Checker (SFC Scan)
System File Checker is the best tool to fix corrupt files in Windows.
Commands:
1. Search “cmd” in the Start menu.
2. Run Command Prompt as an administrator.
3. Type the command given below:
“`
sfc /scannow
“`
This command will scan your system files and try to automatically repair corrupt files.
3. Repair Windows Image with DISM command
If SFC does not work, then you can repair the Windows image with the DISM command.
Steps:
1. Open Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Run the following commands in sequence:
“`
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
“`
These commands can fix any corruption in the Windows image, which can also fix NTDLL.dll-related errors.
4. Restart Windows Explorer
Sometimes, Explorer crashes due to temporary glitches. Restarting it can be helpful.
Steps:
1. Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
2. Find Windows Explorer and right-click on it → Restart.
5. Check the Error Log with Event Viewer
Event Viewer is a Windows tool that tells what caused the crash.
Steps:
1. Type “Event Viewer” in Start and open it.
2. Click on Windows Logs > Application.
3. Click on the error (red mark) related to the crash.
4. In the description, you can see which DLL or app is responsible.
6. Uninstall problematic software
Some third-party apps, such as old codec packs, file manager tools, or antivirus can be responsible for this crash.
Steps:
1. Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
2. Uninstall recently installed suspicious apps.
3. Restart the system and check if the crash is happening or not.
7. Update or rollback the graphics driver
Outdated or incompatible GPU drivers can cause File Explorer to crash.
To update:
1. Open Device Manager.
2. Click on Display Adapters.
3. Right-click on your Graphics card → Update driver.
To Rollback:
If the problem started after an update:
1. Right Click on the same place → Properties → Driver Tab → Roll Back Driver.
8. Run a Malware Scan
Sometimes malware corrupts NTDLL.dll or injects its own malicious DLL in its place.
Steps:
1. Open Windows Security.
2. Virus & Threat Protection → Quick Scan or Full Scan.
3. If any threat is found, remove it.
You can also do a Deep Scan using a third-party tool like Malwarebytes.
9. Use System Restore
If the problem started after a recent change, you can use a System Restore Point.
Steps:
1. Search for “System Restore” in Start.
2. Click on “Open System Restore”.
3. Select an older restore point and restore.
10. Reset or Reinstall Windows
If all the above solutions are not working, you can reset or reinstall Windows as a last resort.
To reset:
1. Go to Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC.
2. Choose either Keep my files or Remove everything.
To reinstall:
Download the Windows ISO file and clean install via bootable USB.
Conclusion
NTDLL.dll crash in File Explorer is a serious but fixable problem. Follow the above methods one by one. This guide is technically detailed so that you can understand every possible cause and solution to solve this problem.
Want to grow your website organically? Contact us now
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) — How to Fix NTDLL.dll Crash in File Explorer in Windows
Question 1: What is NTDLL.dll, and what is its function?
Answer:
NTDLL.dll (NT Layer DLL) is a system file of the Windows operating system that handles kernel-level operations such as memory management, threading, and error handling. This is a very important DLL, and its corruption or missing can cause system instability.
Question 2: Why does NTDLL.dll cause File Explorer to crash?
Answer:
NTDLL.dll crash is usually caused by the following reasons:
Corrupt or outdated system files
Incompatible or outdated drivers
Third-party application error
Malware or virus infection
Question 3: Is it the right solution to replace NTDLL.dll manually?
Answer:
No, replacing a DLL manually can be unsafe and harmful to the system. Instead, you can use the SFC scan or the DISM command, which are safer and more effective solutions.
Question 4: What does SFC /scannow do?
Answer:
SFC /scannow is a command that scans all protected files in your system and restores corrupt files from Microsoft’s cache.
Question 5: What does it mean if there is no crash in Safe Mode?
Answer:
If there is no crash in Safe Mode, it means that a third-party application or driver is the cause of the crash. It would be advisable to identify and uninstall that app or driver.
Question 6: Can System Restore solve the problem?
Answer:
Yes, if the crash started after a recent system update, software installation or driver update, then the problem can be solved by going back to the state before System Restore.
Question 7: Is a Windows reset necessary?
Answer:
Windows reset is a last resort. It is used only when all other methods fail. It will reset your software and settings, which can solve many system issues.
Question 8: Can an antivirus scan stop a DLL crash?
Answer:
Yes, sometimes malware or viruses corrupt NTDLL.dll. A deep antivirus scan can determine if any malicious activity is causing this problem.
Question 9: How to use Event Viewer to understand the crash?
Answer:
In Event Viewer, go to the Windows Logs > Application section and look for error or warning messages. From here, you can know the time of the crash and the error source.
Question 10: File Explorer is crashing, but no error message is visible. What to do?
Answer:
In such a case, use Event Viewer, run SFC and DISM commands, and check in Safe Mode whether the crash is happening or not. Then, troubleshoot the related drivers and software.
